What if the secret to resilience isn’t discipline or grit; but play? In this deeply personal and surprising talk, Elizabeth Blake Thomas challenges our cultural dismissal of joy as frivolous and makes the case for its essential role in mental health and wellbeing. Drawing from her own journey through trauma and depression, she reveals how small moments of lightness, from wearing bold clothes to singing loudly in traffic, helped change her brain, her body, and her life. Backed by science and full of heart, this talk is a powerful reminder: what we leave behind in childhood might be exactly what we need to heal.This talk was delivered with Elizabeth's constant companion, her adorable Maltese "Chai" who supported her mental health and wellbeing for the past 13 years. Sadly, Chai passed two weeks after the speech, causing her to call on the critical advice she shares in the talk. Elizabeth Blake-Thomas is an award-winning director, keynote speaker, and creativity coach known for empowering storytellers through film, live events, and personal mentorship. With a passion for intentional filmmaking and emotional authenticity, she helps individuals and organizations unlock creative potential and lead with purpose. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx